Apple to introduce host of new machines, new multitouch input devices tomorrow?
By Nilay Patel 
posted October 19th 2009 8:51PM
posted October 19th 2009 8:51PM
posted October 19th 2009 8:51PM
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I hope he is right, I'v been holding off on getting a new Mac to see if they will bump them up. Hopefully they will update the specs on the MacBook Pro and I REAALY WISH FOR BLURAY.
Ha, you know, I wanted Blu-ray like its a big thing, but after realizing how much I would use it, it became more of a "Mac needs blu-ray, although I wouldn't use it much". You know, because everyone uses optical drives SOOO much these days.
They should go with what HP did with Envy: Make the laptop more powerful (SERIOUSLY needs better GPUs) and make the optical drive external, w/blu-ray.
Blu-ray is a bag of hurt.
Mac Mini could really use blu-ray...though I just pirate my HD
It would be cool to have a Blu-Ray burner for video editing... but:
I don't have an HD camcorder...
I don't have an HDTV...
I don't have a Blu-Ray player...
None of my friends or family who I would want to show my HD videos have a Blu-Ray player either...
I do, however, still have a kick-butt standard-def camcorder and I still burn and sell DVDs for clients:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406855-REG/Panasonic_AGDVX100B_AG_DVX100B_3CCD_24p_Mini_DV.html
Blu-ray simply seems like a luxury that Macs don't need right now, seeing as how they'll probably eventually push to be selling a bigger selection of HD movies on iTunes.
laptops were just respec'd in June so don't hold your breath on that one.
as for Blu-ray, i doubt it. perhaps as an option on the Mac Pro and maybe the highest imacs, but I can't see them putting it in all the machines as a standard after the Extras on itunes last month. remember that Apple doesn't do cause everyone else did. especially when the sales are only like 12-15% of machines sold at this point (cause who wants to watch a blu-ray on that tiny screen)
what I also can see is perhaps native playback via a revised DVD player/data burning support and maybe a SuperDuper Drive like the one for the MacBook Air only this one is for all machines and is a blu-ray burner.
Considering Macs are touted as the end-all be-all for media consumption and creative video-producing types, doesn't it seem like a glaringly obvious omission?
@kazbaeden >> "Considering Macs are touted as the end-all be-all for media consumption and creative video-producing types, doesn't it seem like a glaringly obvious omission?"
Plus... you CAN buy a Blu-Ray burner for a Mac:
http://www.mcetech.com/blu-ray/
And it's probably cheaper than if Apple optioned it.
From a hardware only perspective, I agree that a blu-ray BTO for mac pros and a FW800 external for the rest of us would be nice, but it doesn't fit with Apple's strategy.
Apple has placed its bets....
Optical drives are becoming less relevant every year, the future for content and software delivery is online, that is one of the reasons the app store and iTunes is so important
At the same time though I tried justifying Blu-Ray for an HDTV I was getting, really couldn't do it, since the prices are still too high overall for everything from the players to the disks themselves. As of now Blu-Ray just seems like an in between format from DVD to Holographic Versatile Disc, the terabyte holding format that hardware makers are almost guaranteed to spring on us in another 5 to 7 years, whether or not we actually need it.
@Fan-of-iTech: You are right that optical drives are seldom used these days but that's because whatever content on a DVD may be obtained by download. Content on Blu-ray disc, on the other hand, is more difficult to download due to its sheer size. So, if you want to enjoy Blu-ray content, e.g. true HD movie, you have not choice but get a blu-ray player. Thus, most people consciously opting for a blu-ray player with their computer will most likely use it.
Subtle processor/HDD/RAM refreshes make sense, maybe even price adjustments, but new products and new form-factors without a press-conference? That seems unlikely.
Original plastic MacBook came out with no event.
you do know that the new ipod shuffle came out without an event right? and i still hate it.
True. I am in desperate need of replacing my G4 windtunnel tower, so press-conference or not, I'm hoping for in-stock Mac Mini refreshes tomorrow.
I'm hoping for the multi-touch waffle maker, but only if its self cleaning.
I'll be pissed if there's a new Macbook Air.
That's right, I have a MBA. Screw you guys and your thinkpads and your gentoo and your GNU+Linux and your repositories and your Winders 7 and your vidya gaems.
I am confused as to what message you are trying to convey. If it's sarcasm is doesn't make sense, if its not sarcasm it's just stupid.
I believe he's saying.
"Hey, I have a MacBook Air. Aren't I cool?"
@marcomera & cam: I think he has a sense of humor. I know you don't. Memo: get one.
BTW ... in a mixed house and work environment, I'm a freakin' pc.
his username is poo_and_wee... my guess is he's just stupid.
I do, in fact have a sense of humor, thank you.
Sarcasm doesn't come across in text.
@maveric101
I agree. Any self-respecting nerd/geek on this site would have used "poo_and_wii" instead of what he put.
"Screw you guys and your thinkpads and your gentoo and your GNU+Linux and your repositories and your Winders 7 and your vidya gaems."
And USB ports and removable batteries and dvd players.
The taste of Apple news... :)
Too bad I don't eat Apples much.
Yay new macs NEED CORE i7 or something ABOVE CORE 2 DUO!
This.
Must have Quads or i7/i5s. I mean that's a given, right?
Not to bothered about the rest - a tablet is kind of a white elephant and multitouch mice seem a bit pointless given the increasing switch to portable computing.
Yes, upgraded hardware would be nice. Multitouch, on the other hand, has proven to be a worthless gimmick, and it's time everyone moved on. In what, four years of hype, we've seen multitouch do two things: zoom and rotate. Who gives a shit? You could do both of those just as easily with a mouse and a modifier key. And exactly how often do you perform those actions anyway? Almost never.
Oh, and waving your arms around in front of you all day to use your computer? Also a stupid idea.
Let the multitouch shit die. This is the last thing Apple should be dicking around with while their laptop keyboards still don't have a real Delete key and the 13-inch MacBook Pro still lacks an ExpressCard slot.
Oh, and need we mention the idiotic glossy screens?
What, no Magic Fairy Dust and Unicorns?
Tch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDU0CTDMk2g
Sign me up for that multitouch iWaffleMaker!
WAFFLEMAN! He's the waffler, golden crispy, bad guys are history!
Hit 'em with some truth syrup!
mmm... apple waffles...
iwafflemaker. Only $299.*
*does not include waffles. We are not responsible for quality taste, only looks.
Well, that sure would stomp all over Barnes and Noble's eReader thing tomorrow.
Unless they bring out an epaper - touchscreen waffle maker
....You know, a lot of supposedly "Mac Haters" are just pissed off Windows users who are told by their Mac using counterparts that windows is an OS that 50% has a virus, 40% of the time has a BSoD, and 10% turning on.
I could care less what the hell some internet person thinks is the better OS, but QUIT TELLING ME that my decision was a bad one. I choose Windows, let me be in peace.
There's also a black hole that eats your money. And it comes in white.
If they don't finally add BR drives/recorders to their MacBook Pro line... Arrrrg!
Apple hates blu ray, they want their HD itunes crap to succeed.
If they do add blu ray I wouldn't expect it to be in the macbooks, it will come to the macpro first. Apple has been trying to get the price of macbooks down while keeping their apple tax intact and adding blu ray is not a very effective way for that to happen.
Hahaha, Apple trying to stay relevant with a "me to" news release trying to steal steam from Microsoft's crushing Windows 7 launch on the 22nd.
Well it's no use Apple, Windows 7 is the be all and end all of Operating Systems. It's faster, more stable, capable and secure. It makes coffee and even organizes your sock drawer!
Apple, you will rue the day you messed with Microsoft, count your blessing because you are doomed.... DOOMED!!!!!!
Hey, I've never tolled before and a benign post like this seemed like the best place to get it out of my system :)
Have a nice day.
While yes, if this was MS or some other company announcing something around the same time as an Apple product launch, you would never hear the end of the canter-walling of the Engadget writers/iTrolls, however it could be better stated than that.
People like you piss me off.
Someone please post a message on Engadget that isn't either an Apple fanboy or a Microsoft fanboy, please! I need it.
The constant "OS X SUCKS!!!! and WINDOWS 7 IS THE BEST EVARRRR" and the "WINDOWS 7 IS SUCKY LIKE VISTA OS X IS PERFECTTT". I'm annoyed to no end. Someone take the initiative and be an unbiased genius and notice that both operating systems have strengths and weaknesses, neither perfect nor better than the other. Pick one based one what you like and stop trying to force your opinion on other people.
Kthanksbye.
yes, it's not like anything relevant about apple was released today. like, even a few hours ago.
ROFLMAO!!!
Further proof that people don't read entire posts before flaming them LMAO!!!
Well gabriel, even if you were trying to be funny, you weren't, it's just plain annoying. Brian is right, there are too many people that get emotional about this stuff. And it's just stuff.
Point well taken. It was a moment of weakness. I agree with Brian. I fix both Macs and PC's and know they are both POS that have their specific uses.
On the other hand, if the entire post was read, I think it was pretty clear I was joking. As far as I know Windows 7 does not make coffee or organize sock drawers.
From now on I'll keep my jokes (good or bad) to my self.
Radio with iTunes integration on my iPhone please.
Apple trying to combat the awesomeness that is Windows 7?
The only thing even remotely interesting about all of that is the desktop multitouch thing. Who cares about slightly new imacs and macbooks, and a multitouch mightymouse - i can't stand to use a normal mightymouse why would i want an even more complicated one?